Handle for hammers or the like.



LEONARD F. TARBELL, OF DAYTON, NEW YORK.

HANDLE FOR HAMMERS OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

fatented April 30, 1907.

Application filed Ju11e16,1905. Serial No. 265,556.

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I LEONARD F. TARBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handles for Hammers or the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved handle for hammers or the like.

' The object of the invention is to reduce the shock of the blow by providing the hand grasping portion of the handle with a longitudinal slot which divides said portion into two independent spring members or parts that are adapted to yield under the blow sufficiently to absorb the shock and also to impart spring character to the blow of the device upon the article struck, whereby a heavier blow is struck with less exertion.

The invention also serves to afford a firmer grasp for the hand as the spring members are forced or spring toward each other by the pressure or grip of the hand and press out ward against the encircling hand until permitted to resume their normal position by releasal of the hand grip. The slot provides a passage for the circulation of air which re duces the moisture or perspiration of the hand.

The invention also relates to certain details of construction, all of which will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whieh,-

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved handle with a hammer shown thereon in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the handle on line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through the handle on line b b, Fig. 1, to illustrate one construction of the end ferrule. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section on line 0 c, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is another form of ferrule in which the wedge is formed separate from the body of the ferrule. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on line (Z (Z, Fig. 7, through another form of handle in which the ferrule is dispensed with and a screw used to prevent splitting. Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section on line 6 6, Fig. 6.

In referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals designate like parts.

This invention consists in providing the handle of a device, such as a hammer, with a longitudinal slot in the hand grasp part thereof, thereby forming a yielding hand holding portion. aj

The handle is formed of wood or other suitable material and comprises a head part 1, having a head shaped to fit in a hammer or the like and a hand grasp part which is divided longitudinally into two independent spring members 2, by a longitudinal slot 3.

The slot extends .longitudinally only through somethinglike two-thirds of the handle and is of sufficient length to make the spring members appreciably yield under the hand grip of the operator.

The handle gradually tapers or narrows from the outer end inwardly and it is likewise thought advisable to gradually taper or narrow the slot in width from the outer end of the handle inwardly to correspond with the gradual thinning or narrowing of the handle grasp in order to retain as much material as possible in the spring members without making the handle unduly thick.

in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the slot is continued completely through the end of the hand grasp part of the handle thereby forming a forked or bifurcated outer end to the handle and the ends of the members are secured together by a ferrule or ring 4, which is fitted rigidly thereon and has an integral transverse cross bar or wedge 5, which is interposed between the inner sides of the members and maintains said members in their separated position.

In Fig. 5, another form of ferrule is shown which consists of a ring 6, having opposite interior grooves 7, and a separate cross bar or wedge S, which is driven between the .members with its ends engaging in the grooves 7, in the ring 6, after the ring is properly fitted around the ends of the members.

A rivet 9, or the like is preferably fitted transversely in the handle just beyond the inner termination of the slot 3, to obviate any tendency of splitting.

it may be deemed advisable in both of the above forms of ferrules to fit a rivet 10, or the like through the ferrule, the wedge of the forrule and the handle end to fasten the parts together more sccurel y and obviate any tendency of the ferrule working loose and detaching from the handle. In the form of the illvention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the ferrule is dispensed with and the slot 3, terminates at a short distance from the outerend of the hand grasping part instead of continuing com pletely through as in the form shown in Figs.

1 to 5, inclusive, and providing a solid end portion 11, through which a screw 12, is I driven transversely to prevent splitting.

A screw 13, may likewise be driven transversely through the handle just in front of the inner termination of the slot 3.

It should be noted that the edges of the slot are rounded as shown at 14, in Fig. 4, to remove all sharp corners at points of contact with the hand of the operator.

The preferred form of hand grasp part of the handle shown in Fig. -11, is nearly of an oval form in cross section and the cross sectional contour of the spring members 2, is approximately shaped like a half ellipse. This provides the most convenient shape for the grasp or the hand and as the slot 3, extends approximately horizontal .through the handle when said handle is horizontal, with the hammer head or the like vertical, and the members are located one above the other when in operating'position in the hand so that one of the members receives pressure from the palm of the hand and the other from the gripping fingers. With this improved hammer a heavier blow is struck with less exertion owing to the spring character of the handle.

One of the unique features of this improved handleis that the part to which the hammer head or other metal tool part is secured is of solid one piece construction thereby enabling a firm, rigid and secure attachment, and that the spring part, which is integral with and solidly united to the head part is in the wider portion of the handle and directly where the handle is grasped by the hand.

The advantages of this simple invention are that the handle part which is grasped by the hand is composed of two separated spring members which yield under a blow and absorb the shock thereby preventing its transmission to the hand, that a blow of spring character is given to the article struck, that the opening between the members provides for the circulation of air to the hand to cool the same and lessen or prevent perspiration and that a firmer grasp is attained as the pressure or grip of the hand presses the members toward each other and the tendency of said members when under pressure is to spring from each other thereby producing a firm close but yielding contact between the 1 handle and the hand of the operator and thereby prevents centrifugal. action from drawing the handle from the hand during the operation of the tool.

I claim as my invention.

1. A handle of one integral piece of wood or the like having a solid head at one end upon which a hammer head or the like is fit ted and a hand grasp part of substantially oval cross section provided with a slot which extends only longitudinally therethrough and is closed at both ends thereby providing two separated spring members which are adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator and each of which is shaped in cross section to substantially half of an ellipse and is integral with and solidly united to the head, the members gradually tapering in size from the hand grasp part toward the head and the slot correspondingly narrowing and having its widest portion near the outer end of the hand grasp part, substantially as set forth.

2. A handle of wood or the like having a solid head at one end upon which a hammer head or the like is fitted and a hand grasp part provided with a longitudinal slot, thereby providing two separate spring members adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator and an opening between said members for air circulation to the inner surface of the hand and a ferrule fitted. upon the opposite end of said handle and having a transverse cross bar or wedge interposed between the spring members to maintain them in sepa rated position.

3. A handle constructed of one integral piece of-wood or the like having a solid head at one end upon which a hammer head or the like is fitted and a hand grasping part pro vided with a slot which extends longitudinally only therethrough and is closed at both ends thereby providing two separate spring members intermediate the head and outer end of the handle, both of which are solidly united at their opposite ends to the head and outer end of the handle and are adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator, substantially as set forth.

LEONARD F. TARBELL. Vitnesses L. M. SANGSTER, GEO. A. NEUBAUER. 

